What is Labor Day?

In the US many celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September but many do not understand origin of Labor Day. February 21, 1887 Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday but it did not become a federal holiday until 1894. By this time 30 state already officially celebrated the holiday.

President Grover Cleveland signed the legislation only 6 days after the end of the Pullman Strike where many workers died and over $80 million in damage were done. The strike was the result of Pullman Car Company cutting wages but not lowering the rent of company housing. As a result of the strike the U.S. mail was delayed which was a direct violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.